Miniature type tape cassette

ABSTRACT

A miniature type tape cassette used with respect to a standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus which performs recording and/or reproduction when loaded with a standard type tape cassette and with respect to a recording and/or reproducing apparatus of a type different from the standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprises a cassette case having a size smaller than that of the standard type tape cassette, and a tape accommodated within the cassette case. The miniature type tape cassette is loaded independently into the recording and/or reproducing apparatus of a type different from the standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus, and loaded into the standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus together with a tape cassette adapter having an external form and size substantially equal to those of the standard type tape cassette, in a state where the miniature type tape cassette is accommodated within the tape cassette adapter and the tape is drawn out from the cassette case to form a predetermined tape path. The cassette case is provided with a cutout part, and this cutout part is inserted with a moving lever provided on said tape cassette adapter, which moves in relation to the drawing of the tape out from the cassette case.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a miniature type tapecassette which is loaded in a state accommodated within a tape cassetteadapter having the same external form and size as a standard type tapecassette with respect to a standard type recording and/or reproducingapparatus which is primarily designed to perform recording and/orreproduction with a standard type tape cassette, and loadedindependently with respect to a recording and/or reproducing apparatusof a type different from the standard type recording and/or reproducingapparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to aminiature type tape cassette having a construction such that the tapecassette is prevented from being taken out of the tape cassette adapterwhen the tape cassette is accommodated within the tape cassette adapterin a state where a tape is drawn out of a cassette case of the tapecassette.

Presently, video signal recording and/or reproducing apparatuses usingtape cassettes are reduced to practical use on the world-wide basis. Astypes of these recording and/or reproducing apparatuses using tapecassettes, two or three standardized types of apparatuses presentlyexist world-widely. There is no interchangeability between apparatusesof different standards, however, the interchangeability exists betweenapparatuses adopting the same standard. Accordingly, a tape cassetterecorded by one recording and/or reproducing apparatus can be reproducedby another recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the same standard.Hence, in order to ensure the interchangeability between differentrecording and/or reproducing apparatuses manufactured by differentmanufacturers so as to perform recording and/or reproduction, astandardization is established with respect to formats of the tapecassette and the recording and/or reproducing apparatus. That is, theabove formats are standardized for each standard, and a standard typetape cassette and a standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatusare respectively manufactured and marketed under each standard.

Recently, a problem of much importance involves the realization inreducing the size of the recording and/or reproducing apparatus mainbody. This is to realize a more compact portable type recording and/orreproducing apparatus, and, for example, to realize such an equipmentthat a recording apparatus is unitarily built into a television camera.

In this regard, some attempts have been made to realize a compact typerecording and/or reproducing apparatus using a compact or miniature typetape cassette, which uses a tape pattern and format completely differentfrom those of the standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatususing the standard type tape cassette which are already and widelyaccepted in the market. However, the above compact type recording and/orreproducing apparatus attempted for realization uses a format completelydifferent from that of the standard type recording and/or reproducingapparatus, and the interchangeability does not exist therebetween.Therefore, in this compact type recording and/or reproducing apparatus,there is a disadvantage in that a tape cassette recorded by the compacttype recording and/or reproducing apparatus cannot be reproduced by thestandard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus. This is a greatinconvenience and disadvantage to the owners of the compact typerecording and/or reproducing apparatus.

Another attempt has also been made to realize a compact type portablerecording and/or reproducing apparatus which performs recording and/orreproduction with the same tape pattern and format as the standard typerecording and/or reproducing apparatus, by using a tape cassette whosesize is slightly reduced by reducing the tape quantity and the diameterof the reels from those of the standard type tape cassette. In thissystem, a tape cassette recorded by the portable recording and/orreproducing apparatus can be reproduced as it is by the standard typerecording and/or reproducing apparatus.

However, in the tape cassette used in the above portable recordingand/or reproducing apparatus, the distance between a supply side reeland a take-up side reel is set equal to the distance between the supplyside and take-up side reels of the standard type tape cassette, so thatthe tape cassette used for the portable recording and/or reproducingapparatus can be loaded into the standard type recording and/orreproducing apparatus. Hence, even when the tape quantity is reduced inorder to reduce the diameter of the reels there is a limit in reducingthe diameter of these reels. Therefore, in this system, there was adisadvantage in that the size of the tape cassette as a whole could notbe reduced significantly, and the same is true to the recording and/orreproducing apparatus.

Furthermore, another system is conceivable in which the tape quantity isreduced to reduce the diameter of the reels, and further, the miniaturetype tape cassette is constructed by reducing the distance between thesupply side and take-up side reels. In this system, as a modification ofthe standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus, the recordingand/or reproducing apparatus can be constructed so that a reel disc fordriving the take-up side reel is movable. In this modification of thestandard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus, the take-up sidereel disc is at a normal position when loaded with the standard typetape cassette, and the take-up side reel disc is moved to a positioncloser to the supply side reel disc when loaded with the miniature typetape cassette.

However, even in this system, for example, there is a disadvantage inthat the miniature type tape cassette recorded by the compact typerecording and/or reproducing apparatus cannot be reproduced by thestandard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus which is presentlyin wide use. Moreover, there is a disadvantage in that it is extremelydifficult to realize a mechanism for moving the reel disc in the mannerdescribed above. Furthermore, the recording and/or reproducing apparatususing the tape cassette generally has a mechanism for drawing out thetape from inside the tape cassette to load the tape onto a predeterminedtape path within the recording and/or reproducing apparatus. Therefore,it is also exceedingly difficult to construct the above mechanism forpulling out the tape, so that interchangeability exists with respect tothe above compact or miniature type tape cassette and the standard typetape cassette. Practically, the realization of such a mechanism isvirtually impossible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to providea novel and useful miniature type tape cassette in which the abovedescribed disadvantages have been overcome.

Another and more specific object of the present invention is to providea miniature type tape cassette which is loaded, in a state accommodatedwithin a tape cassette adapter having substantially the same externalform and size as a standard type tape cassette, with respect to astandard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus which is primarilydesigned to perform recording and/or reproduction with a standard typetape cassette, in a state where the tape is drawn out from a cassettecase to form a predetermined tape path, which miniature type tapecassette has a cutout part provided in the cassette case, so that amoving member provided on the tape cassette adapter, which moves inrelation to the drawing out of the tape in the manner described above,engages with the cutout part. According to the miniature type tapecassette of the present invention, when the miniature type tape cassetteis accommodated within the tape cassette adapter in a state where thetape is drawn out of the cassette case, even when an attempt is made toerroneously take out the miniature type tape cassette from the tapecassette adapter, the miniature type tape cassette is prevented frombeing taken out by the above moving member of the tape cassette adaptersince the moving member engages with the cutout part of the cassettecase. Hence, accidental removal of the miniature type tape cassette fromthe tape cassette adapter to damage the tape extended outside thecassette case, is prevented.

Other objects and further features of the present invention will beapparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a miniature type tape cassetteaccording to the present invention in a state where a tape protectinglid is open, viewed from a lower direction with respect to the front ofthe tape cassette;

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are diagrams respectively showing a plan view,a side view, a bottom view, and a rear view of the tape cassette shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 2E is a rear view showing a modification of the tape cassette shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the inner construction of the tapecassette shown in FIG. 1 in a state where an upper half of a cassettecase and an upper flange of a reel are removed;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a cross section along a line IV--IV in FIG.2A;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams respectively showing a plan view and afront view of an embodiment of a leaf spring for pushing against a reel;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams respectively showing cross sections along aline VIA--VIA and a line VIB--VIB in FIG. 3, in a state where a fixedshaft of a take-up side reel and an engaging part of a lower half aredisassembled;

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the shape of teeth around the periphery ofa lower flange of a take-up side reel in an enlarged scale;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a braking mechanism with respect to atake-up side reel, in a cross section along a line VIII--VIII in FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of a tape cassetteadapter into which the tape cassette shown in FIG. 1 is loaded;

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the tape cassette adapter shown in FIG. 9in a state where an upper half is open with respect to a lower half;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a cross section along a line XI--XI in FIG.10 in a state where latching mechanisms for an upper half and a lowerhalf of the tape cassette adapter are mutually opposed;

FIG. 12 is a side view showing a mechanism for temporarily opening anopening and closing lid when an upper half of the tape cassette adapteris placed on top of a lower half;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the tape cassette adapter shown in FIG. 9in a vertical cross section;

FIG. 14 is a side view showing the shape of teeth of an intermediategear shown in FIG. 10 in an enlarged scale;

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a tape cassette adapter in a stateaccommodating a tape cassette;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a mechanism for positioning a tape cassettewithin an adapter in an enlarged scale, in a cross section along a lineXVI--XVI in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing an example of a standard type recordingand/or reproducing apparatus loaded with a tape cassette adapter whichis accommodating a tape cassette, in a recording or reproducing mode;

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing an example of a recording and/orreproducing apparatus designed exclusively for the tape cassetteaccording to the present invention which is loaded with the tapecassette shown in FIG. 1, in a recording or reproducing mode;

FIGS. 19 and 20 are diagrams respectively showing a side view and a planview of a tape cassette housing in the apparatus shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a plan view showing a mechanism in a lower half in anotherexample of a tape cassette adapter which is loaded with the tapecassette shown in FIG. 1, in a state where an upper half is removed;

FIGS. 22 and 23 are diagrams respectively showing a plan view and a sideview of a tape cassette adapter in a state where a rear lid is open; and

FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a miniaturetype tape cassette according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A miniature type tape cassette 10 according to the present invention hasa configuration shown in FIGS. 1, 2A through 2D, 3, and 4. The tapecassette 10 has a cassette case 11 of a size smaller than a standardtype tape cassette which is loaded into a standard type recording and/orreproducing apparatus. A lid 13 for protecting a magnetic tape 12accommodated within the tape cassette 10, is provided on the front ofthe cassette case 11. The cassette 11 consists of an upper half 14 and alower half 15.

A part of a rectangular-shaped side flange part 13a of the lid 13 isaxially supported by a hinge pin 16 at a part in the vicinity of acorner part of the upper half 14, so that the lid 13 is rotatable toopen and close. A substantially U-shaped leaf spring 17 and a slide rod18 which is urged in the direction of the hinge pin 16 by the leafspring 17, are provided in relation to the above lid 13. The lid 13 canassume two states. That is, in one state, one side edge 13b of theflange part 13a is pushed by the slide rod 18, and the lid 13 is in aclosed state shown in FIG. 2B. Further, in another state, another sideedge 13c of the flange part 13a is pushed by the slide rod 18, and thelid 13 is an open state shown in FIG. 1 and as indicated by a two-dotchain line in FIG. 2B. The U-shaped leaf spring 17 is fitted into a sidegroove 19 of the upper half 14, in a state where the leaf spring 17 isheld by a projecting rib 19a and does not easily detach from the sidegroove 19. The slide rod 18 is provided within a groove 20 at the sideof the upper half 14, in a freely slidable manner. Moreover, when thetape cassette 10 is not loaded into a recording and/or reproducingapparatus designed exclusively for the tape cassette 10 or accommodatedwithin a tape cassette adapter (description with respect to therecording and/or reproducing apparatus designed exclusively for the tapecassette 10 and the tape cassette adapter will be given afterwards), thelid 13 covers the front of the cassette case 11 to protect the magnetictape 12 which is exposed at the front of the cassette case 11.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a supply side reel (supply reel)21 and a take-up side reel (take-up reel) 22 are provided side by sidewithin the cassette case 11. A distance D between centers of the reels21 and 22 is shorter than the distance between centers of supply andtake-up reels of a standard type tape cassette used with respect to astandard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus. With respect tothe supply reel 21, the magnetic tape 12 is wound around a reel hub 25between upper and lower flanges 23 and 24 Similarly, the magnetic tape12 is wound around a reel hub 28 between upper and lower flanges 26 and27, with respect to the take-up reel 22. The magnetic tape 12 is unwoundfrom the supply reel 21 and guided by guide poles 29, 30, 31, and 32provided at left and right end sides, along the front side of thecassette case 11, to form a tape path 12A reaching the take-up reel 22.

The supply reel 21 is provided in a state where an annular projectingstep portion 24a of the lower flange 24 is loosely fitted into a hole 33having a large diameter of the lower half 15. Moreover, teeth 24b areformed in a ring shape on the lower surface of the lower flange 24around the entire circular periphery thereof. Teeth 34 are formed in aring shape on the upper surface of the lower half 15, at positionsopposing the above teeth 24b. The supply reel 21 is urged downwards tothe lower half 15, by one arm portion 35a of a leaf spring 35 mounted onthe lower surface of an upper plate of the upper half 14. Accordingly,in a normal state, the teeth 24b mesh with the teeth 34. Hence, thesupply reel 21 is braked and prevented from free rotation, due to theabove meshing of the teeth 24b and 34. Thus, the supply reel 21 does notunnecessarily rotate while the tape cassette 10 is manipulated or intransit. Therefore, the magnetic tape 12 is prevented from being tangledand damaged, since slack is not introduced in the magnetic tape 12 whichis wound around the supply reel 21, and the magnetic tape 12 isprevented from being pulled unnecessarily out from the supply reel 21.

A reel driving shaft inserting part 25a is provided inside the reel hub25 of the supply reel 21, into which a reel driving shaft of therecording and/or reproducing apparatus is inserted. The inner diameterof the above reel hub 25 is equal to the inner diameter of a reeldriving shaft inserting part of a supply reel in the standard type tapecassette.

The take-up reel 22 is provided in a rotatable manner such that a fixedshaft 36 embedded in the lower half 15 is inserted into a center hole ofthe reel hub 28. The above take-up reel 22 is urged towards the lowerhalf 15 by being pushed downwards by another arm portion 35b of the leafspring 35. Since the reel hub 28 is not inserted with a reel drivingshaft, an outer diameter d2 of the reel hub 28 is smaller than an outerdiameter d1 of the reel hub 25 of the supply reel 21. Accordingly, theamount of magnetic tape 12 which can be accommodated within the tapecassette 10 becomes large as compared to the case where the outerdiameters d1 and d2 of the reel hubs 25 and 28 are the same. Therefore,although the size of the tape cassette 10 is small, recording andreproduction can be performed for a relatively long period of time byuse of the above tape cassette 10.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the above leaf spring 35 is of a V-shapeand is adhered and fixed in a state where a pair of holes 35c at thecenter thereof is fitted over projections at the lower surface of theupper plate of the upper half 14. The leaf spring 35 is shaped so that,in a free state, a bent amount s of the arm portion 35a which makescontact with the supply reel 21 is larger than a bent amount t of theother arm portion 35b which makes contact with the take-up reel 22.Hence, the resilient force exerted by the arm portion 35a is especiallylarge. When the tape cassette 10 is not used, the supply reel 21 ispushed against the lower half 15 with a strong force, and the rotationof the supply reel 21 is positively prevented. On the other hand, whenthe tape cassette 10 is being used, the position of the supply reel 21is positively secured by a supply reel driving shaft, to stabilize themagnetic tape travel.

The above fixed shaft 36 is screwed onto the lower half 15 with a screw38, in a state where a projection 37 provided on the lower half 15 isinserted into a linear groove 36a at the lower end part of the fixedshaft 36 as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The above groove 36a and theprojection 37 act as a detent when the projection 37 is inserted intothe groove 36a, upon mounting the fixed shaft 36 onto the lower half 15by the screw 38. Hence, the screw 38 can be screwed securely into thefixed shaft 36, and the operation to fix the fixed shaft 36 onto thelower half 15 can be performed with high operation efficiency. Duringrecording and reproducing operations, a rotational force of the take-upreel 22 acts on the fixed shaft 36. However, the fixed shaft 36 does notrotate unnecessarily, due to the engagement of the projection 37 and thegroove 36a. Accordingly, the screw 38 does not become loose since thefixed shaft 36 is maintained in the initial fixed state withoutintroducing instability in the fixed shaft 36. Therefore, the take-upreel 22 is maintained at a predetermined position and rotates in astable manner Thus, the magnetic tape 12 can be smoothly taken up by thetake-up reel 22 without damaging the magnetic tape 12, and the take-upreel 22 smoothly engages with a driving force transmitting mechanism aswill be described hereinafter.

The screw 38 has a head part having a shape which is a combination of acircular truncated cone shape part 38a and a columnar part 38b. The part38a of the above screw 38 is fitted over a tapered hole 39 in the lowerhalf 15, in a state where the screw 38 is screwed into a threaded part36b of the fixed shaft 36. In this state, the columnar part 38b of thescrew 38 is positioned so that the center thereof accurately coincideswith the center of rotation of the take-up reel 22. The above columnarpart 38b functions as an engaging part for positioning, when the tapecassette 10 is accommodated within the tape cassette adapter.

A circular depression 40 is formed in a bottom surface 11a of thecassette case 11, that is, in the bottom surface of the lower half 15,around the periphery of a position corresponding to the center ofrotation of the take-up reel 22. The above described columnar part 38bprojects downwards from a bottom surface 40a of the circular depression40 in a manner such that the columnar part 38b does not project from thebottom surface 11a of the whole cassette case 11. Since the columnarpart 38b does not project from the bottom surface of the cassette case11, the tape cassette 10 can be placed in a stable state on a table, forexample. Moreover, the surface of the table is prevented from beingscratched by the columnar part 38b.

In addition, gear teeth 27a are formed on the entire outer peripheralpart of the lower flange 27 of the take-up reel 22. As shown in FIGS. 1,2B, 2C, 3, and 4, a part of the outer peripheral part of the lowerflange 27 is exposed through a cutout window 41 which extends from theside to the bottom of the lower half 15. The above cutout window 41 isof an arcuate shape on the bottom of the lower half 15. Further, asshown in FIG. 7, the lower end side of the above gear teeth 27a aretapered shapes.

Furthermore, with respect to the take-up reel 22, a braking mechanismshown in FIGS. 3 and 8 is provided. A braking member 45 consists of abrake shoe part 45b provided on one side of a cylindrical part 45a, anda rectangular engaging part 45c provided on the opposite side of thecylindrical part 45a. The above braking member 45 is provided in a statewhere the cylindrical part 45a is fitted over a projecting column 46 onthe lower half 15, the brake shoe part 45b opposes an outer peripheraledge part at the upper surface of the reel flange 27, and the engagingpart 45c is positioned at a corner part of the lower half 15. Thebraking member 45 is restricted of rotation, especially since theengaging part 45c is positioned at the corner part of the lower half 15.Moreover, the braking member 45 is urged towards the lower half 15 by acompressed coil spring 47 fitted over around the periphery of theprojecting column 46, and the brake shoe part 45b presses against theouter peripheral edge part at the upper surface of the reel flange 27.Accordingly, the take-up reel 22 is subjected to the braking action dueto the force of friction introduced when the brake shoe part 45b pressesagainst the outer peripheral edge part at the upper surface of theflange 27, and is stopped at this position. Thus, no slack is introducedin the magnetic tape 12 which is wound around the take-up reel 22.Furthermore, the engaging part 45c of the braking member 45 covers apositioning hole 42 formed in the lower half 15 which will be describedhereinafter.

Since the take-up reel 22 is applied with the braking force only due tothe force of friction introduced, the take-up reel 22 is capable ofrotating when applied with a large rotational force. Accordingly, aswill be described hereinafter, the magnetic tape 12 may be drawn outfrom the tape cassette 10 in a relatively easy manner, by rotating thetake-up reel 22 towards a tape unwinding direction against the forceexerted by the braking mechanism.

The above braking member 45 moves upwards along the projecting column 46as will be described hereinafter, and in this raised state, the brakeshoe part 45b disengages from the reel flange 27 in the upwarddirection, and the braking with respect to the take-up reel 22 isaccordingly released. Since the braking member 45 operates by movingalong the axial direction of the take-up reel 22, the braking member 45does not hit against and damage the magnetic tape 12 wound around thetake-up reel 22 as in the case where the braking member rotates within aplane which is an extension of the reel flange. Hence, the constructionof the braking mechanism is simple. In addition, the above brakingmechanism does not occupy much space, and is convenient for reducing thesize of the tape cassette 10. Furthermore, since the braking mechanismincluding the braking member 45 is provided in a space at the cornerpart of the cassette case 11, additional space is not required forproviding the braking mechanism. It is advantageous also from this pointof view, when reducing the size of the tape cassette.

The braking mechanism may be assembled in a simple manner bysuccessively fitting the braking member 45 and the coil spring 47 overthe projecting column 46 after the take-up reel 22 is assembled into thelower half 15, and then, holding the vertex part of the coil spring 47by covering the lower half 15 with the upper half 14.

The upper and lower halves 14 and 15 are fixed together by screws 50 and51 in a state where the upper half 14 is positioned with respect to thelower half 15 by fitting projections 48 and 49 of the lower half 15 intocorresponding depressions (not shown) of the upper half 14.

Grooves 52 and 53 extending in the direction of the height of the tapecassette, are respectively formed at positions closer to the rear sideof the tape cassette, on the left and right side of the tape cassette10. These grooves 52 and 53 operate together with projecting rims of thetape cassette adapter as will be described hereinafter, and havefunctions to prevent the tape cassette from being loaded into the tapecassette adapter facing the wrong direction.

Moreover, a depressed step part 54 having a width W1 and a depressedstep part 55 having a width W2 are respectively formed on the lid sideand on the rear side at the bottom surface of the tape cassette 10. Thewidths of the depressed step parts 54 and 55 are different so as tosatisfy a relation W1>W2. In addition, a substantially semi-circulardepressed step part 56 in the plan view, is formed at a central part inthe upper surface of the tape cassette 10 facing to the rear. Thisdepressed step part 56 engages with an engaging lever provided on thetape cassette adapter, as will be described hereinafter.

FIG. 2E shows a miniature type tape cassette 10a which is a modificationof the above described miniature type tape cassette. The tape cassette10a has a depression 56a on the rear thereof, instead of the depressedstep part 56. This depression 56a is of a substantially semi-circularshape in the direction of the width, similarly as in the case of theabove depressed step part 56, and is inserted with and engages with theengaging lever provided on the tape cassette adapter. The aboveminiature type tape cassette 10a does not have any step at the uppersurface thereof, since the depression 56a is used instead of thedepressed step part 56.

FIGS. 9 through 13 show an example of a tape cassette adapter which isused when the miniature type tape cassette 10 having the above describedconstruction is loaded into a standard type recording and/or reproducingapparatus.

A tape cassette adapter 60 has an accommodating part 61 foraccommodating the above tape cassette 10, and has an external form andsize substantially equal to those of the standard type tape cassette,similarly as in the case of tape cassette adapters which will bedescribed hereinafter.

The tape cassette adapter 60 consists of a lower half 62 and an upperhalf 63, and these halves 62 and 63 are connected at the sides thereofby a hinge 64. The upper half 63 can pivot between an open positionindicated in FIG. 10, and a closed position indicated in FIGS. 9 and 13where the upper half 63 covers the upper surface of the lower half 62.

The above accommodating part 61 for accommodating the tape cassette 10is formed at a predetermined position of the lower half 62. A rotationtransmitting mechanism 65 is provided at a position adjacent to theaccommodating part 61. When the lower half 62 is placed on top of thestandard type tape cassette for comparison, the supply reel 21 of thetape cassette 10 accommodated within the accommodating part 61 isarranged at a position corresponding to the position of the supply reelof the standard type tape cassette. In addition, a gear structure 66 ofthe rotation transmitting mechanism 65 is arranged at a positioncorresponding to the position of the take-up reel of the standard typetape cassette.

The accommodating part 61 has a shape substantially identical to theplane shape of the tape cassette 10 in the plan view, and is a spacesurrounded by right and left side walls 68 and 67 and a rear wall 69respectively opposing the right and left sides and the rear of the tapecassette 10 accommodated within the accommodating part 61 and a bottomplate 70 opposing the bottom of the tape cassette 10. Projecting ribs71a and 71b which respectively fit into the grooves 52 and 53 of thetape cassette 10, are formed on the left and right walls 67 and 68. Acircular hole 72 is provided in the bottom plate 70 at a positioncorresponding to the position of the supply reel of the tape cassette 10which is accommodated. In addition, a cylindrical member 73 having apenetrating hole 73a is provided on the bottom plate 70 at a positioncorresponding to the position of the take-up reel of the tape cassette10 which is accommodated (refer to FIG. 16). The diameter of the hole73a is the same as that of the above described circular truncated coneshape part 38a of the screw 38, and a tapered part 73b is formed at theupper edge side of the hole 73a in order to facilitate the engagementwith the part 38a. Moreover, a long and narrow projecting step part 75is formed on the bottom plate 70 along the rear wall 69, and projectingstep parts 76 and 77 are formed at corner parts between the rear wall 69and the side walls 67 and 68. Projections 78 and 79 for positioning arerespectively provided on the projecting step parts 76 and 77.

The rotation transmitting mechanism 65 consists of the gear structure 66and an intermediate gear 80 having a small diameter which meshes withthe above gear structure 66. As shown in FIG. 13, the gear structure 66has a gear 66a at the flange part, and a reel driving shaft insertingpart 66c within a central projecting part 66b. The gear structure 66 isarranged in a rotatable manner opposing a hole 81 at the bottom of thelower half 62. The above gear structure 66 is maintained at apredetermined position in a state where the gear structure 66 is free tomove to a certain extent, by an arcuate wall 82 and an arm which will bedescribed hereinafter which are provided on the lower half 62.

A ring-shaped holder 83 is fitted over the periphery of the centralprojecting part 66b of the gear structure 66 in a rotatable manner. Theintermediate gear 80 is provided on a shaft 84 at the tip end of an armpart 83a of the holder 83. Tip ends of a swing arm 85 and a sliding arm86 are linked together. The rotary arm 86 extends in a state insertedwithin a groove 70a provided on the upper surface of the bottom plate70, and a base part thereof is fitted and fixed to the outer peripheryof the cylindrical member 73. A ring-shaped holding member 74 is fixedonto the bottom plate 70 in a state covering the above groove 70a. Thecylindrical member 73 is fitted into a hole 70b of the bottom plate 70and a center hole of the ring-shaped holding member 74 in a rotatablemanner, and the swing arm 85 can rotate unitarily with the cylindricalmember 73.

The sliding arm 86 is linked with an arm 88 which is axially supportedby a projecting beam on the lower half 62 at a base part thereof, in afreely slidable manner. Due to this construction, the gear structure 66is capable of slightly changing the position thereof inside the arcuatewall 82, accompanying the swing of the arm 85 and the sliding of the arm86. Since the intermediate gear 80 is supported at the tip end of thearm part 83a of the ring-shaped holder 83 and the tip end of the swingarm 85, the distance from the hole 73 and the distance from the centerof the gear structure 66 with respect to the intermediate gear 80 do notvary and are maintained at constant values, regardless of the move inthe position of the gear structure 66. Accordingly, even when theposition of the gear structure 66 changes, the intermediate gear 80remains in a state meshing with the gear 66a in a normal manner.Moreover, the intermediate gear 80 assumes a position where it ispossible to mesh with teeth 27a provided on the tape cassette 10 whichis accommodated within the tape cassette adapter 60.

As shown in FIG. 14 in an enlarged scale, teeth 89 of the intermediategear 80 respectively have a tapered part 89a at the upper end sidethereof. Hence, as will be described hereinafter, the teeth 27a canpositively mesh with the teeth 89 of the intermediate gear 80.

Similarly as in the standard type tape cassette, cutouts 90 and 91 forinserting loading poles, and a cutout 92 and the like for inserting acapstan, are respectively provided in the front part of the lower half62.

Furthermore, guide poles 93 and 94 are embeddedly provided at the end ofthe above cutout 90 and at the end of the cutout 92, respectively, inthe lower half 62. As will be described hereinafter, the guide poles 93and 94 guide the magnetic tape 12 so that the magnetic tape 12 forms atape path 12B along the front surface of the tape cassette adapter 60.

Moreover, a cutout 95 for inserting a lid opening lever, openings 96aand 96b for inserting positioning pins, an opening 97 for inserting alight emitting source for detecting the end of the magnetic tape 12, anopening 98 for inserting a reel brake releasing pin, and the like areprovided in the lower half 62.

An opening and closing lid 100 is provided at the front surface side ofthe upper half 63. The lid 100 is of a shape identical to the openingand closing lid of the standard type tape cassette. The lid 100 issupported at the right and left sides, and is constantly urged towards alid closing direction by the action of a spring 102 provided on a shaft101.

In addition, a leaf spring 103 is mounted on the upper half 63, to makecontact with and push against a central projection 66d of the gearstructure 66 when the upper half 63 is closed. A transparent plate 104is adhered onto a part of the upper half 63 which opposes the tapecassette accommodating part 61 when the upper half 63 is closed.Further, a rectangular opening 105 for receiving the lid 13 of the tapecassette 10, is formed in the upper half 63 between the transparentplate 104 and the lid 100.

Next, description will be given with respect to the manipulation andoperation involved in a case where the above described tape cassette 10loaded to the standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatustogether with the tape cassette adapter 60, by referring to FIGS. 15through 17.

In this case, the tape cassette 10 is accommodated within the tapecassette adapter 60 to form the above described predetermined tape pathwithin the tape cassette adapter 60. This tape cassette adapter 60accommodating the tape cassette 10 is loaded into the standard typerecording and/or reproducing apparatus as in the case where the standardtype tape cassette is loaded.

In order to accommodate the tape cassette 10 within the tape cassetteadapter 60, the lid 13 of the tape cassette 10 is first opened as shownin FIG. 1. Then, the magnetic tape 12 is drawn out from the tapecassette 10 by a predetermined length. In this state, the magnetic tape12 can be drawn out from the take-up reel 22 by rotating the take-upreel 22 against the braking force of friction, and it is not necessaryto push the supply reel 21 upwards by a finger in order to release thebraking effect. In addition, it is not necessary to hold the lid 13 inthe open position by a finger, since the lid 13 is mechanically held atthe open position. Hence, the manipulation to draw out the magnetic tape12 from the above tape cassette 10, and the succeeding manipulation toaccommodate the tape cassette 10 within the tape cassette adapter 60,can be performed with ease. In the state where the magnetic tape 12 isdrawn out from the tape cassette 10, the tape cassette 10 isaccommodated within the accommodating part 61 in the lower half 62, andthe magnetic tape 12 which is drawn out is threaded around the guidepoles 93 and 94 so as to be guided by these guide poles 93 and 94 asshown in FIG. 10. Accordingly, the magnetic tape 12 is guided by theseguide poles 93 and 94, and forms the tape path 12B traversing the frontsurfaces of the cutouts 90, 91, and 92, as in the case of the standardtype tape cassette. In a case where the lid 13 is transparent, it ispossible to see the position of the magnetic tape 12 through the lid 13,and the operation to thread the magnetic tape 12 can be performed in asimple manner without making a mistake.

The upper half 63 is then rotated about the hinge 64 and closed. Theupper half 63 is connected to the lower half 62 in this state where theupper half 63 covers the lower half 62. A clawed part 108 of the upperhalf 63 engages with a cutout groove 109 of the lower half 62, and theupper and lower halves 63 and 62 are locked in a state where guidingprojections 106 and 107 of the upper and lower halves 63 and 62 makecontact with each other to restrict positions of the upper and lowerhalves 63 and 62. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, the tape cassetteadapter 60 is in a state where the tape cassette 10 is accommodatedbetween the upper and lower halves 63 and 62 and the magnetic tape 12drawn out from the tape cassette 10 is guided along the predeterminedtape path 12B.

When the upper half 63 pivots from a position slightly before a finalposition unto the final position, sloping cam surfaces 110a and 110b ofan arm 110 which is unitarily provided on the shaft 101 are guided by anL-shaped projection 111 provided on the lower half 62, as shown in FIG.12. Thus, the lid 100 is once slightly opened as indicated by a two-dotchain line in FIG. 12 and departs from the magnetic tape 12 in the tapepath 12B, and in a final stage, the lid 100 closes to cover the frontsurface of the tape cassette adapter 60. Therefore, when the upper half63 is manipulated to cover the lower half 62, no inconveniences areintroduced since the lid 100 does not hit the magnetic tape 12 in thetape path 12B to undesirably deform the magnetic tape 12. Further, thelock between the upper and lower halves 63 and 62 can be released bypushing a projection 112.

Next, description will be given with respect to the operation of eachpart when the tape cassette 10 is accommodated within the accommodatingpart 61 of the tape cassette adapter 60.

The tape cassette 10 is placed on a position where the tape cassette 10makes contact with the bottom plate 70 facing a predetermined direction,in a state where the grooves 52 and 53 provided on the tape cassette 10are fitted over the projecting ribs 71a and 71b of the tape cassetteadapter 60. Hence, the depressed step part 55 at the bottom surface andthe depressed step parts 57 and 58 of the tape cassette 10 respectivelymake contact with the long and narrow projecting step part 75 and theprojecting step parts 76 and 77 provided on the bottom plate 70 of thetape cassette adapter 60, and the tape cassette 10 is accordinglypositioned with respect to the direction of its height. In addition, thehole 42 and a longitudinal hole 43 provided in the lower half 15 of thetape cassette 10 respectively fit over the projections 78 and 79.Moreover, as shown in an enlarged scale in FIG. 16, the columnar part38b of the screw 38 fits into the hole 73a. Accordingly, the tapecassette 10 is accurately positioned since the tape cassette 10 isrestricted of its position at three positions. Furthermore, since thecolumnar part 38b provided at the center position of the take-up reel 22fits into the hole 73a, the take-up reel 22 is positioned at apredetermined position with respect to the rotation transmittingmechanism 65 with high accuracy, and the take-up reel 22 can engage withthe rotation transmitting mechanism 65 in an accurate manner. Due to thefunction of the tapered part 73b provided at the upper end of the hole73a, the columnar part 38b of the screw 38 can smoothly enter into thehole 73a.

The teeth 27a of the lower flange 27 which is exposed through the cutoutwindow 41 at the take-up reel 22, mesh with the teeth 89 of theintermediate gear 80 when the tape cassette 10 is lowered. Since thetapered parts 27b and 89a are respectively formed at the upper and lowerparts of the teeth 27a and 89 opposing each other (refer to FIGS. 7 and14), the teeth 27a smoothly meshes with the teeth 89 by being guided bythe tapered parts 27b and 89a, regardless of any rotational position ofthe take-up reel 22 and the intermediate gear 80.

The pin 78 passes through the hole 42 to push the engaging part 45c.Hence, as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 8, the pin 78 pushesthe braking member 45 upwards against the force exerted by the coilspring 47, that is, towards the axial direction of the take-up reel 22.Therefore, the brake shoe part 45b disengages from the lower flange 27,and the take-up reel 22 is released of the braking operation.

When an attempt is made to erroneously accommodate the tape cassette 10with the lid side and the rear side facing the wrong direction, thegrooves 52 and 53 do not mutually match the projecting ribs 71a and 71b.Thus, the right and left end sides at the bottom surface of the cassette10 are obstructed by the projecting ribs 71b and 71a, and the tapecassette 10 cannot be accommodated within the accommodating part 61.That is, the tape cassette 10 is positively prevented from beingaccommodated in a state facing the wrong direction.

When the upper half 63 is placed on top of the lower half 62 to coverthe lower half 62, the upper surface of the tape cassette 10 is pushedby the transparent plate 104 as shown in FIG. 13. Hence, the tapecassette 10 is accommodated within the accommodating part 61 andrestricted from moving therefrom. The lid 13 which is in a horizontalstate enters within the opening 105. Accordingly, the upper surface ofthe tape cassette adapter 60 is covered by the lid 13 which enterswithin the opening 105 to form a flush top of the tape cassette adapter60. Therefore, the above tape cassette adapter 60 can also be appliedwith respect to a reproducing apparatus provided with a tape cassetteautomatic loading mechanism without interfering with the operation.Further, the leaf spring 103 engages with the projection 66d of the gearstructure 66, to push the gear structure 66 downwards against the lowerhalf 62.

By performing the above described operations, the tape cassette 10 canbe accommodated within the tape cassette adapter 60 as shown in FIG. 15.

As shown in FIG. 17, the tape cassette adapter 60 accommodating the tapecassette 10 is loaded into a standard type recording and/or reproducingapparatus 120, similarly as in the case where the standard type tapecassette is loaded.

That is, by loading the tape cassette adapter 60, a supply reel drivingshaft 121 is inserted into the reel driving shaft inserting part 25a ofthe supply reel 21 of the tape cassette 10. On the other hand, a take-upreel driving shaft 122 is inserted into the reel driving shaft insertingpart 66c of the gear structure 66 within the tape cassette adapter 60.In addition, loading poles 123 and 124 and a capstan 125 respectivelyenter into the cutouts 90, 91, and 92 behind the tape path 12B so as tooppose the inner side of the tape path 12B. In addition, in the aboveloaded state, the supply reel 21 is pushed upwards as shown in FIG. 3.Accordingly, the teeth 24b disengage from the teeth 34, and the supplyreel 21 becomes freely rotatable. The take-up reel 22 is released of thebraking operation in a state where the tape cassette 10 is accommodatedwithin the tape cassette adapter 60, and is already in a freelyrotatable state.

When the take-up reel driving shaft 122 enters within the gear structure66, the gear structure 66 has a play in the horizontal plane, to becomealigned with the take-up reel driving shaft 122. Even in a case wherethe gear structure 66 is displaced, the distance between the gearstructure 66 of the rotation transmitting mechanism 65 and theintermediate gear 80, and the distance between the intermediate gear 80and the take-up reel 22 respectively are kept constant. Thus, therotation of the gear structure 66 is smoothly transmitted to the take-upreel 22.

Upon a tape loading operation, the above loading poles 123 and 124respectively intercept and engage with the magnetic tape 12, then drawthe magnetic tape 12 out of the cassette as the loading poles 123 and124 move away from the cutouts 90 and 91, and reach positions indicatedby solid lines in FIG. 17. Accordingly, the magnetic tape 12 which isdrawn outside the tape cassette adapter 60, makes contact with afull-width erasing head 126, and makes contact with a guide drum 127provided with rotary video heads throughout a predetermined angularrange. The magnetic tape 12 further makes contact with an audio andcontrol head 128. Therefore, the above magnetic tape 12 is loaded onto apredetermined tape travelling path.

During recording and reproduction, the magnetic tape 12 is driven in astate pinched between the capstan 125 and a pinch roller 129. Moreover,the gear structure 66 within the tape cassette adapter 60 is rotated inthe clockwise direction by the take-up reel driving shaft 122. Thisrotation of the gear structure 66 is transmitted to the take-up reel 22through the intermediate gear 80, to drive the magnetic tape 12 towardsa tape take-up direction. Accordingly, the magnetic tape 12 fed out bythe capstan 125 is taken-up by the take-up reel 22. The magnetic tape 12is guided by the guide pole 94 within the tape cassette adapter 60.

In this state, the intermediate gear 80 is not pushed against the gearstructure 66 and the take-up reel 22 by the action of the spring and thelike, thus the extra load produced upon rotation transmission betweenthe gears is kept small. Hence, when the take-up reel driving shaft 122is rotating, the torque loss introduced during the rotation is reduced.The rotation of the take-up reel driving shaft is thus transmitted tothe take-up reel 22, and the take-up reel 22 rotates with a sufficienttorque to take-up the magnetic tape 12. As described above, the rotationtransmitting mechanism 65 is constructed to transmit rotation withreduced torque loss. Therefore, even in a state where the tape cassette10 is accommodated within the tape cassette adapter 60 and the tapecassette adapter 60 is loaded into the standard type recording and/orreproducing apparatus, the take-up reel 22 of the tape cassette 10 canrotate in a normal manner.

As shown in FIG. 10, an erroneous erasure preventing lever 115 isassembled within a space 62a at the rear of the tape cassetteaccommodating part 61 of the lower half 62. This lever 115 is axiallysupported by a projecting pin 116, and is urged to rotate clockwise by acoil spring 117. A tab 115a which is a downwardly bent part facing therear of the tape cassette adapter 60, and a detecting projection 115bfacing to the inside of the accommodating part 61, are respectivelyprovided at the tip end of the lever 115. The tab 115a enters within adepression 62b of the lower half 62, and is exposed at a position on therear surface of the tape cassette adapter 60 corresponding to theposition of an erroneous erasure preventing tab of the standard typetape cassette. The detecting projection 115b passes through an opening118 provided in the rear surface wall 69 of the tape cassette adapter60, and protrude into the accommodating part 61. Hence, the detectingprojection 115b is at a position opposing an erroneous erasurepreventing tab 59 of the tape cassette 10 accommodated within theaccommodating part 61. The tip end of the detecting projection 115b isformed as a sloping surface 115c which slopes downwards. Accordingly,when the tape cassette 10 is lowered to be accommodated within theaccommodating part 61, the bottom of the tape cassette 10 pushes thedetecting projection 115b so that the detecting projection 115b recedesto the space 62a.

In FIG. 10, in a case where the tape cassette 10 still having the tab 59is accommodated within the tape cassette adapter 60, the detectingprojection 115b of the lever 115 is pushed by the tab 59. Hence, thelever 115 rotates counterclockwise as indicated by a two-dot chain linein FIG. 10, against the force exerted by the spring 117. As indicated bythe two-dot chain line in FIG. 10, the tab 115a moves so as to move awayfrom the depression 62b to reach the entrance part of the depression62b. Thus, the tab 115a does not project from the rear surface of thetape cassette adapter 60 and lies on the same plane as the rear surfaceof the tape cassette adapter 60, to function in a similar manner as theerroneous erasure preventing tab of the standard type tape cassette.That is, when the tape cassette adapter 60 in this state is loaded intothe standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus, the tab 115apushes a detecting pin provided on the apparatus, and the apparatus maybe put into a reproducing mode or a recording mode. Therefore, it ispossible to record on the magnetic tape 12 of the miniature type tapecassette 10 by use of the standard type recording and/or reproducingapparatus.

On the other hand, when the tape cassette 10 with the removed tab 59 isaccommodated within the tape cassette adapter 60, the detectingprojection 115b enters within a depression which is formed due to theremoved tab 59. Accordingly, the lever 115 does not rotate and remainsin the original state, and the tab 115a is positioned at the innermostpart of the depression 62b. Therefore, the depression 62b is open on therear surface of the tape cassette adapter 60, and the tape cassetteadapter 60 becomes of a shape identical to that of the standard typetape cassette of which the tab is removed. When the tape cassetteadapter 60 in this state is loaded into the standard type recordingand/or reproducing apparatus, the detecting pin provided on theapparatus enters within the depression 62b at the rear surface of thetape cassette adapter 60. Hence, the apparatus cannot be put into arecording mode, and can only be put into a reproducing mode. Thus, it ispossible to prevent an accident in which the recorded contents on themagnetic tape 12 within the tape cassette 10 is erroneously erased.

Next, description will be given with respect to a case where the tapecassette 10 is loaded into a compact type recording and/or reproducingapparatus, by referring to FIGS. 18 through 20.

FIG. 18 shows a compact type recording and/or reproducing apparatus 140.This compact type recording and/or reproducing apparatus 140 is of asmaller size, that is, the width and depth of the compact type recordingand/or reproducing apparatus 140 are smaller than those of the standardtype recording and/or reproducing apparatus 120.

A supply reel driving shaft 141 is provided at a cassette loading partof the above compact type recording and/or reproducing apparatus 140,however, a take-up reel driving shaft is not provided. As shown in FIGS.19 and 20, the tape cassette 10 is inserted within a cassette housing142 having a pop-up mechanism, by inserting the tape cassette 10 fromthe side of the lid 13 towards the direction of an arrow A, into apredetermined position where the end of the depressed step part 54engages with a projection 143a of a bottom plate 143. The tape cassette10 is thus loaded into the cassette loading part by being loweredtogether with the cassette housing 142. In a case where tape cassette 10is erroneously inserted within the cassette housing 142 from the rearsurface side of the tape cassette 10, the insertion of the tape cassetteis prevented at a halfway position where the end of the depressed steppart 55 hits the projection 143a. Hence, at this point, it can berealized that the tape cassette 10 was inserted facing the wrongdirection.

The right and left side parts at the upper surface of the tape cassette10 are pushed by pushing parts 144a of a pair of pushing levers 144within the cassette housing 142, and the tape cassette 10 is accordinglypushed against the bottom plate 143. The pushing levers 144 are axiallysupported by a shaft 145, respectively, and urged to rotate in thecounterclockwise direction by the force exerted by a coil spring 146.

When the cassette housing 142 is pushed downwards, the tape cassette 10is accordingly lowered, and the tape cassette 10 is loaded within theloading part in a state where the central part of the supply reel 21 isinserted with the supply reel driving shaft 141. Moreover, the depressedstep parts 57 and 58 provided at the bottom of the tape cassette 10respectively engage with projecting step parts (not shown) provided atthe loading part. Further, the tape cassette 10 is positioned by fittingthe hole 42 and the longitudinal hole 43 over positioning pins 147 and148 provided within the apparatus.

During the loading of the above tape cassette 10, a loading pole 151 anda tension pole 152 relatively enter within a cutout 150, while a loadingpole 154 and a capstan 156 respectively and relatively enter intocutouts 153 and 155. Furthermore, the lid 13 makes contact with a lidopening projection (not shown) provided in the apparatus, and isrelatively opened. In addition, a gear 158 which constitutes a rotationtransmitting mechanism 157 on the recording and/or reproducingapparatus, meshes with the teeth on the outer periphery of the lowerflange of the take-up reel 22.

In the above loaded state, the supply reel 21 is raised as shown in FIG.3. Hence, the supply reel 21 becomes freely rotatable when rotationallydriven at the center part thereof. Moreover, the braking member 45 israised by the pin 147 as shown in FIG. 8, and the take-up reel 22 alsobecomes freely rotatable.

When the operational mode of the recording and/or reproducing apparatus140 is set to a play mode, the above poles 151, 152, and 154 interceptand engage with the magnetic tape 12 to draw out the magnetic tape 12,and respectively move to positions indicated by solid lines in FIG. 18.Hence, the magnetic tape 12 is drawn out of the tape cassette 10, tomake contact with a full-width erasing head 159. The magnetic tape 12further makes contact with a guide drum 160, which is provided withrotary video heads, throughout a predetermined angular range, and alsomakes contact with an audio and control head 161. Thus the magnetic tape12 is loaded onto a predetermined tape travelling path. During recordingand reproduction, the magnetic tape 12 is driven in a state pinchedbetween the capstan 156 and a pinch roller 162. Moreover, the gear 158which is rotated by a reel driving motor (not shown) meshes with thegear teeth 27a of the take-up reel 22, and the take-up reel 22 isaccordingly driven towards a tape take-up direction.

The full-width erasing head 159, the audio control head 161, and theguide drum 160 are constructed under a substantially the same standardas the corresponding heads 126 and 128 and the guide drum 127 of thestandard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus 120. Accordingly, asignal is recorded onto and reproduced from the magnetic tape 12 with atape pattern and format identical to those of the standard typerecording and/or reproducing apparatus.

When an eject button (not shown) is pushed, the cassette housing 142rises, and the tape cassette 10 is pushed out from the cassette housing142 due to the action of a spring (not shown). In a case where the tapecassette 10 is pushed out towards the right in FIG. 19, the side edge13c of the side surface flange part 13a of the lid 13 which is in anopen state hits the pushing part 144a of the pushing lever 144. Hence,the lid 13 is applied with a force acting towards a lid closingdirection, and the lid 13 closes against the force exerted by theU-shaped leaf spring 17. Thus, the tape cassette 10 is retrieved fromthe cassette housing 142 in a state where the lid 13 is closed.

Next, description will be given with respect to another example of atape cassette adapter, by referring to FIGS. 21 through 23. In FIGS. 21through 23, those parts which are identical to those corresponding partsin FIGS. 9 and 10 are designated by the same reference numerals, andtheir description will be omitted.

A tape cassette adapter 170 is directed to improve the manipulatingcharacteristic of the tape cassette adapter. That is, the tape cassetteadapter 170 is capable of automatically performing the operations todraw out the magnetic tape 12 from the tape cassette 10 and accommodatethe magnetic tape 12 within the tape cassette 10, within the tapecassette adapter 170.

The tape cassette 10 is accommodated within an accommodating part 172 ofa lower half 171 of the tape cassette adapter 170, in a state where themagnetic tape 12 is not drawn out from the tape cassette 10. Byaccommodating the tape cassette 10 within the accommodating part 172,guide rollers 173 and 174 are relatively inserted into the cutouts 150and 155 of the tape cassette 10, respectively. After the tape cassette10 is accommodated within the above accommodating part 172, the lowerhalf 171 of the tape cassette adapter 170 is covered by an upper half175.

In the above state, a lid 176 at the rear of the tape cassette adapter170 is opened, and a manipulation lever 177 within the tape cassetteadapter 170 is manipulated to close the lid 176. By performing theseseries of manipulation, the magnetic tape 12 is drawn out from the tapecassette 10, to form a predetermined tape path within the tape cassetteadapter 170, as described hereinbelow.

That is, when the lid 176 is opened by rotating the lid 176 about ashaft 178 by an angle of about ninety degrees, a lever 179 slidestowards the direction of an arrow Y1. Moreover, an L-shaped lever 180rotates towards the clockwise direction about a pin 181, and a lever 182moves towards the direction of an arrow X1. The tip end of the lever 182is linked to an arm 183 which is fixed to the shaft 101 of the openingand closing lid 100. By the above described movement of the lever 182,the lid 100 opens as shown in FIG. 23.

In the above state, the lever 177 is rotated towards the clockwisedirection about a shaft 184 to a position indicated by a solid line inFIG. 21, from a position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 21.By this rotation of the lever 177, a connector 185 moves towards thedirection of the arrow Y1, and a rotary lever 186 rotates about a shaft187 towards the clockwise direction. When the above rotary lever 186rotates, a first loading arm 188 rotates towards the counterclockwisedirection about a shaft 189 to a position indicated by the solid line inFIG. 21. In addition, the connector 185 moves towards the direction ofthe arrow Y1, due to the rotation of the lever 177 in the clockwisedirection. Thus, an L-shaped rotary lever 190 rotates in the clockwisedirection about a shaft 191, a connector 192 moves towards the directionof an arrow X2, and a gear 193 rotates unitarily with a lever 194towards the clockwise direction. By the above rotation of the gear 193,a gear 196 is rotated in the clockwise direction through a timing belt195, and a second loading arm 197 rotates unitarily with the gear 196towards the clockwise direction.

When the first and second loading arms 188 and 197 rotate as describedabove, the guide rollers 173 and 174 engage with the magnetic tape 12 todraw the magnetic tape 12 out from the tape cassette 10. At a finalstage, the guide rollers 173 and 174 respectively reach positionscorresponding to the positions of the guide rollers 93 and 94 of thetape cassette adapter 60 shown in FIG. 10. Accordingly, the magnetictape 12 is drawn out from the take-up reel 22, and forms a tape pathwithin the tape cassette adapter 170 which is similar to the tape path12B indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 10. Therefore, themagnetic tape 12 within the tape cassette 10 forms the above tape pathwithout manually handling the magnetic tape 12, and is effective in viewof protecting the magnetic tape.

After the above described operations are performed, the lid 176 isclosed as shown in FIG. 21 by rotating the lid 176 in the clockwisedirection. As the lid 176 is closed, the lever 182 moves towards thedirection of the arrow X2 to close the lid 100. When the tape cassetteadapter 170 is in operation, the manipulation lever 177 is subject to atorque in the counterclockwise direction due to tape tension applied tothe guide roller 173. However, the lever 177 is held at the fullyclockwise rotated position by the rear surface of the closed lid 176.

Furthermore, access to the lever 177 can only be made when the lid 176is open. Hence, the lever 177 is always manipulated in a state where thelid 176 is open. Moreover, when the lid 176 is opened, the lid 100 ofthe tape cassette adapter 170 is opened, and the guide roller 174 canreach the operational position without hitting against the lid 100.

In addition, when the connector 185 moves towards the direction of thearrow Y1 due to the rotary manipulation of the above lever 177, aholding lever 204 rotates in the clockwise direction about a shaft 205.Hence, the holding lever 204 projects within the accommodating part 172,to hold the depressed step part 56 provided on the rear top of the tapecassette 10 and hold the tape cassette 10 within the accommodating part172. Accordingly, the tape cassette 10 is prevented from beingerroneously extracted from the accommodating part 172 in a state wherethe magnetic tape 12 is drawn out of the tape cassette 10. Moreover, inthe case of the other tape cassette 10a, the holding lever 205 enterswithin the depression 56a, and the tape cassette 10a is similarlyprevented from being extracted from the accommodating part 172 in theabove state where the magnetic tape 12 is drawn out of the tape cassette10a.

Furthermore, regardless of whether the tape cassette 10 (10a) isaccommodated within the accommodating part 172, when an attempt is madeto accommodate the tape cassette 10 (10a) within the accommodating part172 of the tape cassette adapter 170 in a state where the guide rollers173 and 174 are erroneously positioned at the positions indicated by thesolid lines in FIG. 21 for completing the operation to draw out themagnetic tape 12, the tape cassette 10 (10a) hits the holding lever 205.Therefore, the tape cassette 10 (10a) is arrested by the holding lever205 and is prevented from entering into the accommodating part 172, andthe tape cassette 10 (10a) is thus prevented from being erroneouslyinserted into the tape cassette adapter 170.

If an attempt is made to extract the tape cassette 10 (10a) from theaccommodating part 172 in a state where the magnetic tape 12 is drawnout of the tape cassette 10 (10a), or to accommodate the tape cassette10 (10a) to the accommodating part 172 in a state where the guiderollers 173 and 174 are at the positions for completing the operation todraw out the magnetic tape 12, the magnetic tape 12 may become severelydamaged. However, in the present embodiment of the invention, the tapecassette 10 (10a) can only be extracted from or accommodated within theaccommodating part 172 when the holding lever 205 is in a state recededfrom the tape cassette. That is, the above extracting and accommodatingoperation with respect to the tape cassette 10 (10a) can only beperformed when the guide rollers 173 and 174 are at the originalpositions, to prevent an accidental damage of the magnetic tape 12.Moreover, especially since the tape cassette 10 (10a) is provided withthe depressed step part 56 (depression 56a), the holding lever 205 canhold the tape cassette 10 (10a) without projecting from the uppersurface of the tape cassette 10 (10a). That is, the holding operation toprevent the tape cassette 10 (10a) from moving and being extracted, isperformed within the range of the height of the tape cassette itself.Therefore, the above described construction is effective for the presentembodiment of the invention wherein the tape cassette 10 (10a) having aheight substantially equal to that of the tape cassette adapter is to beaccommodated within the tape cassette adapter which is restricted of theheight.

The tape cassette adapter 170 accommodating the tape cassette 10 isloaded into the standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus 120as shown in FIG. 17, as in the case of the above described tape cassetteadapter 60. Hence, the recording and/or reproducing operation isaccordingly performed in a similar manner as described above.

When the tape cassette 10 is extracted from the tape cassette adapter170, the lid 176 is opened, and the lever 177 is rotated in thecounterclockwise direction to the original position indicated by atwo-dot chain line in FIG. 21. By rotating the lever 177 in this manner,the loading arms 188 and 197 respectively rotate in the clockwise andcounterclockwise directions to the original positions, and the guiderollers 173 and 174 return and enter within the cutouts 150 and 155.

By manipulating the lever 177 in the above described manner, therotation of a gear 200 which is unitarily provided with the lever 177 istransmitted to a gear structure 202 through a gear mechanism 201.Furthermore, the rotation of the gear 200 is further transmitted to thetake-up reel 22 within the tape cassette 10 through a gear 203.Accordingly, the take-up reel 22 rotates in the clockwise direction totake-up the magnetic tape 12 drawn outside the tape cassette 10. Thus,the magnetic tape 12 drawn out of the tape cassette 10 is positivelywound with no slack and accommodated within the tape cassette 10, due tothe manipulation of the above manipulation lever 177. Therefore, it isnot necessary to perform an operation especially for winding themagnetic tape after the lever 177 is manipulated, and the tape cassette10 can be extracted from the accommodating part 172 immediately.

The gear structure 202 and the gear 203 roughly correspond to the gearstructure 66 and the intermediate gear 80 shown in FIG. 10,respectively. Moreover, a uni-directional clutch is assembled within thegear mechanism 201, and the above rotational manipulation of the lever177 in the clockwise direction is not transmitted to the gear structure202. Hence, the rotation of the gear structure 202 in the clockwisedirection due to the take-up reel driving shaft of the recording and/orreproducing apparatus, is not transmitted to the gear 200.

As shown in FIG. 21, the above described tape cassette adapter 170 hasan erroneous erasure preventing tab 171a which can be snapped off, at aposition corresponding to the position of the erroneous erasurepreventing tab of the standard type tape cassette. When the tapecassette adapter 170 with the removed tab 171a is loaded into thestandard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus, the apparatuscannot be put into a recording mode. Accordingly, the recorded contentson the magnetic tape within the tape cassette 10 accommodated within thetape cassette adapter 170, is prevented from being erroneously erased.

FIG. 24 shows another embodiment of a tape cassette according to thepresent invention. In FIG. 24, those parts which are substantially sameas those corresponding parts in FIGS. 1 and 2A through 2D are designatedby the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.In a tape cassette 210, a depression (not shown) into which the holdinglever 204 enters is provided on the rear of the tape cassette 210.Further, a transparent panel 211 is provided at the top of the tapecassette 210, at a part corresponding to the right half of the supplyreel.

In either case where the above tape cassette 10 is independently loadedinto the compact type recording and/or reproducing apparatus 140 or thetape cassette 10 is loaded into the standard type recording and/orreproducing apparatus 120 in a state accommodated within the tapecassette adapter 60, the supply reel 21 fits over the supply reeldriving shaft 141 or 121 provided in the recording and/or reproducingapparatus, and the supply reel 21 is directly driven. Hence, therotational accuracy of the supply reel 21 becomes high, and a highlyaccurate tape feeding operation can be obtained. Moreover, since thediameter d1 of the reel hub 25 in the supply reel 21 is large, thedifference between the maximum and minimum diameters of the roll of thewound-tape on the above supply reel 21 is relatively small. Accordingly,the varying range of the rotational speed of the supply reel 21 from thestart to the completion of recording and reproduction is small, and thetape running accuracy is improved.

On the other hand, with respect to the take-up reel 22, the take-up reel22 is not fitted over the take-up reel driving shaft in either casewhere the above tape cassette 10 is independently loaded into thecompact type recording and/or reproducing apparatus 140 or the standardtype recording and/or reproducing apparatus 120 in a state accommodatedwithin the tape cassette adapter 60. Thus, to a given size of thecassette, an amount of tape to be accommodated can be increased, or thesize of the cassette case 11 can be reduced to a given amount of tape.The above take-up reel 22 is indirectly driven from the side of thecassette case 11 through the gear structure 66 and the intermediate gear80. However, since there is no strict requirements in the rotationalaccuracy of the take-up reel 22, no drawbacks are introduced. Further,as the take-up reel 22 rotates without play around the fixed shaft 36,no extra space is required around the reel, and this helps to reduce thesize of the tape cassette.

When the tape cassette 10 is unloaded from the loading part of thecompact type recording and/or reproducing apparatus 140, the supply reel21 and the braking member 45 respectively move downwards. Thus thesupply reel 21 and the take-up reel 22 are both automatically locked soas not to rotate. Moreover, when the tape cassette 10 is removed fromthe tape cassette adapter 60, after the tape cassette adapter 60 isunloaded from the loading part of the standard type recording and/orreproducing apparatus 120, the braking member 45 similarly movesdownwards to lock the take-up reel 22.

In each of the above embodiments of the invention, instead of providingthe gear part at the peripheral side surface of the lower flange 27 ofthe take-up reel 22 within the tape cassette 10, a rubber roller may beused in the rotation transmitting mechanism within the tape cassetteadapter. In this case, the rotation is transmitted to the lower flange27 of the take-up reel 22 within the tape cassette 10, by use of thefriction introduced therebetween.

Further, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, butvarious variations and modifications may be made without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A miniature type tape cassette which may be usedwith either a standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus whichoperates with a standard type tape cassette or with a different type ofrecording and/or reproducing apparatus which uses miniature cassettes,said miniature type tape cassette comprising:a cassette case having asize which is smaller than the size of said standard type tape cassette;and a tape accommodated within said cassette case, tape cassette adaptermeans in the external form and size of a standard type tape cassette,said miniature type tape casette being independently loadable into saiddifferent type of recording and/or reproducing apparatus, and beingloaded into said standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatuswhen mounted in said tape cassette adapter having said external form andsize which is substantially equal to the form and size of said standardtype tape cassette, said miniature type tape cassette being accommodatedwithin said tape cassette adapter from which said tape is drawn out toform a predetermined tape path, said tape cassette adapter having tapedraw-out means which operatively moves between first and secondpositions for drawing the tape from the cassette case to form saidpredetermined tape path responsive to a movement from said firstposition to said second position, and holding means which operativelymoves between locking and unlocking positions for holding the miniaturetype tape cassette when it is accommodated within said tape cassetteadapter responsive to moving from said unlocking position to saidlocking position, said holding means assuming said locking position toprevent a removal of the miniature type tape cassette from the tapecassette adapter when said tape draw-out means assumes a position otherthan said first position responsive to an operation of said tapedraw-out means, said cassette case having a cutout opening whichreceives said tape draw-out means in said first position, and a cutoutpart which receives said holding means when said holding means assumessaid locking position.
 2. A miniature type tape cassette as claimed inclaim 1 in which said cutout part is a depressed step part provided atthe top of said cassette case.
 3. A miniature type tape cassette asclaimed in claim 2 in which said depressed step part is formed in amanner extending to the rear of the cassette case, at the opposite sidefrom the front of said cassette case.
 4. A miniature type tape cassetteas claimed in claim 3 in which said depressed step part is provided inthe vicinity of a center part along a ridge formed by the upper and rearof said cassette case.
 5. A miniature type tape cassette as claimed inclaim 1 in which said cutout part is a depression provided in the rearof the cassette case, at the opposite side from the front of saidcassette case.
 6. A miniature type tape cassette as claimed in claim 5in which said depression is provided at a position near the top of saidcassette case, in the rear of said cassette case.
 7. A miniature typetape cassette as claimed in claim 5 in which said depression is providedin the vicinity of a center part between both side ends in the rear ofsaid cassette case.
 8. A miniature type tape cassette as claimed inclaim 1 in which said cutout part is of a semi-circular shape.